Busbar for power conversion applications

Abstract

A busbar for power conversion applications that includes two planar conductors that have terminal locations; a first planar insulator located between the planar conductors; two impedances elements that are electrically connected to each of the planar conductors, wherein the impedance elements each extend in a plane that is non-coplanar from the planar conductors, further wherein the impedance elements are configured so as to define a gap between them; and a second planar insulator is located in the gap. A power conversion assembly that connects an energy source and a power switch to the busbar.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A busbar comprising:
 a first planar conductor having a plurality of terminal locations; 
 a second planar conductor having a plurality of terminal locations; 
 a first planar insulator located between the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor; 
 a first impedance element electrically connected to the first planar conductor, wherein the first impedance element extends in a plane that is non-coplanar from the first planar conductor; 
 a second impedance element electrically connected to the second planar conductor, wherein the second impedance element extends in a plane that is non-coplanar from the second planar conductor, further wherein the first impedance element and the second impedance element are configured so as to define a gap therebetween; and 
 a second planar insulator located in the gap, wherein the second planar insulator is coplanar with the first impedance element. 
 
     
     
       2. The busbar of  claim 1  wherein one of the first planar and the second planar conductor is made of a material comprising one of copper, aluminum, silver, and gold. 
     
     
       3. The busbar of  claim 1  wherein the first planar conductor, the second planar conductor, and the first planar insulator are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       4. The busbar of  claim 1  wherein the gap is in a range from about 1 mil to about 70 mil. 
     
     
       5. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first impedance element and the second impedance element is L-shaped. 
     
     
       6. The busbar of  claim 5 , wherein the first impedance element and the second impedance element are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       7. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first impedance element, the second impedance element, and the second planar insulator are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       8. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first planar insulator and the second planar insulator is comprised of a polyimide, epoxy-glass, and polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
       9. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein the first impedance element and the second impedance element are substantially parallel. 
     
     
       10. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first impedance element and the second impedance element are substantially perpendicular to the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor. 
     
     
       11. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein the first impedance element and the second impedance element are removably attached to the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor. 
     
     
       12. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein the first impedance element and the second impedance element are fixedly attached to the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor. 
     
     
       13. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of terminal locations is configured to connect to one of an energy source and a power switch. 
     
     
       14. The busbar of  claim 13 , wherein the energy source comprises one of a capacitor and an electrochemical battery. 
     
     
       15. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein the first impedance element and the second impedance element are connected to the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor substantially in a current path of the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor. 
     
     
       16. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein the gap has a uniform thickness between the first impedance element and the second impedance element. 
     
     
       17. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein the second planar insulator is normal to the first planar conductor. 
     
     
       18. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein the first impedance element and the second impedance element are normal to the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor. 
     
     
       19. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein the first planar conductor and the first impedance element are electrically insulated from the second planar conductor and the second impedance element. 
     
     
       20. The busbar of  claim 1 , wherein the second planar insulator fills the gap. 
     
     
       21. The busbar of  claim 20 , wherein the second planar insulator entirely fills the gap. 
     
     
       22. An power conversion assembly comprising:
 a busbar comprising:
 a first planar conductor having a plurality of terminal locations; 
 a second planar conductor having a plurality of terminal locations; 
 a first planar insulator located between the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor; 
 a first impedance element electrically connected to the first planar conductor, wherein the first impedance element extends in a plane that is non-coplanar from the first planar conductor; 
 a second impedance element electrically connected to the second planar conductor, wherein the second impedance element extends in a plane that is non-coplanar from the second planar conductor, further wherein the first impedance element and the second impedance element are configured so as to define a gap therebetween; and 
 a second planar insulator located in the gap, wherein the second planar insulator is non-planar with the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor; 
 
 an energy source connected to the busbar; and 
 a power switch connected to the busbar. 
 
     
     
       23. The assembly of  claim 22  the power switch comprising one of a mechanical element and a solid state element. 
     
     
       24. The assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the solid state element comprises one of a single switch, a halfbridge, a six-pack, and a multi-switch device. 
     
     
       25. The assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the energy source comprises a plurality of capacitors or a plurality of electrochemical batteries. 
     
     
       26. The assembly of  claim 22 , further comprising a load electrically connected to the power switch.